STUDENTS are being forced to use food banks because their finances are being crippled by the cost-of-living crisis, a damning survey has found.

The survey of more than 3,500 university students by the National Union of Students (NUS) found that 96 per cent have had to cut back as a result of the crisis, with one in five left unable to buy toiletries and one in 10 unable to afford sanitary products when needed.

The survey found that 11 per cent are using food banks, up from 5 per cent in January 2022, and a third of students are living on less than £50 per month after paying rent and bills, the NUS said.